'Messi vomiting no cause for concern'

Lionel Messi's increasing tendency to vomit before and during games is nothing to be concerned about, according to his father.

Messi was seen retching and receiving a tablet from the bench during Argentina's 2-0 victory over Slovenia in their World Cup warm-up match on Saturday.

The forward has previously been seen vomiting during Argentina's 0-0 friendly draw with Romania in March, at a World Cup qualifier in the Bolivian capital La Paz in March 2013, and in a Supercopa game for Barcelona against Real Madrid in August 2011.

But Jorge Messi said that, although the retching could be caused by the pressure of professional football, it was nothing to worry about.

"This subject has been around for years now," he said. "The necessary studies were done at Barcelona. All the doctors say there is no need to be concerned. It does not just happen to him, but to other great athletes in other sports too.

"It is a bit about the stress, or a little stomach problem, but there is nothing else. There is no need to give it too much attention, he must take precautions and nothing else."

Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella echoed Jorge Messi's words, putting the vomiting down on Saturday down to "anxiety more than anything," while Lionel Messi himself has previously played down the problem.